WOMEN LIBERATION OR GENDER EQUALITY

Know Islam, Know Paradise

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WOMEN IN THE PRE-ISLAMIC

Historically, women have over time been made to do the major and the hardest jobs and duties; take care of the homes and the children, go out to farm or fish, and do many other hard labor, to mention just a few. While the men were found either hunting games or enjoying themselves, like there was in the European, Indian, African nations and others . Yet, many others were objects of entertainment, prostitution, advertisement and all sorts of enjoyment, like there was in many nations including Arabian nations.

Women never enjoyed being feminine as they lived their lives in slavery, and were not able to enjoy any freedom as they were part of the properties of men, just like their wealths. So when the men died, the women were inherited by the other men in the family of the deceased. This happened in virtually all nations and is still in existence in few local parts of Africa.

Before Islam, women were considered the lesser being all over the world and in the West woman was considered a symbol of evil and they were called ‘the root of all evil’ in relation to the distorted and manipulated Biblical relation of Adam and Eve. Thus, women at that time in the West were considered base, crude, a tool for sexual gratification and in no way equal to men in any regard. On the other hand, in Arabia the plight of women was beyond narration where having daughters was considered a shame to the extent that parents would bury their girls alive out of shame. Moreover, they also had no rights and were treated like slaves in the household and had no say in any matter of their life.

There were no records where women were being treated with kindness or where they enjoyed being feminine until the prophethood of the last Prophet and Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) who gave women the freedom they deserve.

In the Arabia, baby girls were no longer buried alive, women were no longer objects of entertainment. As his message began to spread, so did women begin to gain respect and care in the society.
ROLES OF A WOMAN

According to Islam, women are allowed to have their wealths (which their husbands must not collect from them), and are allowed to engage in certain jobs (but not all ) . These jobs are not strenuous and are highly human and rewarding. They are mainly teaching and medicine (and related). Women are also allowed in some forms of trading but with some limitations. Aside these, the major responsibility of women is to be the house manager; take good care of the homes and the children. This, as little as it is said, is pregnant with a lot of practical explanations and is enough work for a woman.

When she is quiet, millions of things are running in her mind. She works 24 hours a day. She’s a Mum.

She’s a Waiter. She’s a Nanny. She’s a Nurse. She’s a Handyman. She’s a Security officer. She’s a Counsellor.She’s a Comforter. She doesn’t get holidays. She doesn’t get sick leave. She doesn’t get day off. She works through day and night . she’s on call all hours.

She’s a full-time working woman. Definitely, she has a lot of skills and energy before she could put up with all. That’s the summary of the role of a woman.

WOMEN LIBERATION IN ISLAM

Islam liberated women. To mention just a few of accounts where verdicts were made on women being highly placed:

*A woman is the first school of the children

*She must not be forcefully married off or without her consent (book 5, no 2095 of Hadith Abu Dawud)

*Woman’s rights are inviolable (Hadith An-nasaai’)

*Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported, “The Messenger of Allah(peace be upon him) said, “A believer must not harm (his) believing woman; if he dislikes one of her characteristics, he will be pleased with another.” (Muslim)

*`A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported,“A woman came to me with her two daughters. She asked me (for charity) but she found nothing with me except one date-fruit, so I gave it to her. She accepted it and then divided it between her two daughters and herself ate nothing out of that. She then got up and went out. When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) came in, and I narrated to him the story, he said, “He who is involved (in the responsibility) of (bringing up) daughters, and he is benevolent towards them, they would become protection for him against Hell-fire.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

*Contrary to the popular belief, Islam gives women the right to be educated;

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri, “Some women requested the Prophet (peace be upon him) to fix a day for them as the men were taking all his time. On that he promised them one day for religious lessons and commandments.” (Al-Bukhari)

* Narrated Abu Hurayrah, “Aman came to Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) and said, “O Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him)! Who is more entitled to be treated with the best companionship by me?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Your mother.” The man said. “Who is next?” The Prophet said, “Your mother.” The man further said, “Who is next?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Your mother.” The man asked for the fourth time, “Who is next?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Your father.” (Al-Bukhari).

According to this Hadith, it’s crystal clear that women, when they become mothers, have three times the right of the man as a father.

*As part of measures to liberate women from slavery of being objects of entertainment and prostitution, and to make stand the fact that women are treasures, is the commandment of Allah that the believing women cover themselves in purdah(hijab including face veil – niqob). Moreover, let’s see for ourselves, all treasures and precious stones. Where are they all gotten from?

Deep down the lands and seas, covered. And no one can just go to get them unless those who have the license to do, so. If otherwise, it’s criminal and punishable. How much more women who are more precious than the stones and there are restricted people who can see them uncovered. We buy phones and buy screen guards and pouches to protect them. We use dust covers against dust and its damages for our computers and machines. These are mere non-living things. No matter how valuable they are, they can never be as valuable as women. When we go to buy stuffs, we carry them in opaque bags or containers. We don’t want people to know what we are carrying. Are those things worth concealing than women’s bodies?

So, Allah The Creator, The Most High says:

“O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” – Q33:59

Here, the outer appearance of a believing women has been known. When the prophet peace be upon him was asked about the length, here’s what he said :

Riyad us Saliheen (The Book of Dress – 801) Ibn ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will not look at the one who trails his lower garment out of arrogance.” Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her) asked: “What should women do with the hem of their clothes?” He (Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “They might lower them a hand’s span.” She said: “But their feet would still remain exposed.” He said, “Let them lower those equal to arm’s length but not more than that.”[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

… And…

“And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.” – Q24:31. Hence, a Muslim woman’s hijab (covering either the body and/or the face) is not just a culture or just a rite without significance. She’s liberated through it, not in anyway subjugated.

These and many more have proven that Women are highly revered in Islam, unlike the teaching and belief of the western world. All the stages of life of a woman is significant. As a girl/daughter, she’s a veil for her parents against hell. As a wife, she completes the Deen (religion) of her husband, and as a mother, she’s a means of her child’s entry into paradise.
WHY GENDER EQUALITY?

After the successful colonisation of nations by the West, the status of women have fallen in the guise of “women liberation” which makes them believe that wearing high heels, lipsticks and short dresses, is the best dressing for women. That there’s nothing, out there being done by men, they can’t do as well. It takes the popular campaign “what a man can do, a woman can do”, and have its words in the lyrics and lines of the songs and poems of almost every western colonised brain’s lips. Women are now forced and made to go out there to compete with men for living. After being made to be protected, cared and catered for (by Islam), they’ve now been made to fight to protect, care and cater for (by the West).

They now come out from the honorable cover and walk clothed yet naked. They now become objects of entertainment and prostitution.

Is this not back to square one?

All in the name of wanting to be equal with men.

Is this not the initial slavery and subjugation in disguise?

When will we all learn that both male and female have different tasks and responsibilities?

As Allah has said “And by He who created male and female. Indeed your efforts are diverse.” – Q92:3-4.

Nonetheless, as much as men and women have different tasks, they both still have equal rights in major issues of life.

*Islam frowns at gender discrimination. There’s no difference between a male child and a female child, hence, no preference should be made for one over the other. Allah says:

“He bestows female (offspring) upon whom He wills, and bestows male (offspring) upon whom He wills.”(Q42:49)

So, why there be discrimination?

* As part of the natural courses is that Allah has made for men and women partners of each other.

“And among His signs is this, that He created wives from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility, with them, and He put love and mercy between your (hearts).”(30:21). In a relationship with tranquility, both husband and wife have duty to care for and love each other.

Almighty Allah also said in Quran:“They are like a garment to you and you are like a garment to them.” (2:187)

*The role in religiousness and being virtuous is independent of gender. Women have the same rights to religious acts as well as men.

“O mankind! We created you from a single (pair)of male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you in the sigh of Allah is (the one who is) the most God-fearing.”(49:13).

“Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, and has faith, verily, to him will We give a life that is good and pure, and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.”(16:97)

Thence, it is the one who fears God most. Not men or women.

* A common misconception about Islam is that people think it is a male dominated religion where man enjoys authority over women, especially when it comes to matrimonial relationship. The fact is contrary, where women have an equal stake in the matrimonial relationship and has her say in matters of the relationship. The first thing that shows the rights Islam has given to women pertaining to their matrimonial role is the freedom of marrying someone out of their consent. Therefore, the practice of forcing women to marry someone against their will is not Islamic at all. Secondly, compromise is associated only to women in the world of today with matters of matrimonial relationship. The fact is contrary in Islam, where Islam says that both man and wife have to work towards achieving the best of their relationship. Hence, men should also compromise as much as women. Allah says: “….Live with them (wives)honorably (kindness). If you hate them, it may be that you hate a thing and Allah brings through it a great deal of Good.”(4:19)

…and yet more.

If there have been established equal rights for male and female in important matters of life, what gender equality do we then ask for?

Why not let’s all turn back to what God our creator wants from us? How He has laid them down for us. He has given us manual for our living(Quran).

If only we know the evils that will come out of this gender equality if it’s passed into our laws.

We rejected same sex marriage bill, but gender equality law will force it on us.

Men are naturally the husbands, the breadwinners and controllers of the houses, but gender equality law will make women have the right to do the same. My dear people, two drivers cannot drive a car and two captains cannot direct a ship, at the same time. If they do, what will happen? I leave us to give answers to ourselves.

Many more evils including women wanting to occupy chieftain posts and positions like Alake of Egbaland, Awujale of Ijebu land, Oba of Eko, Emir of Kano, among others. This is against traditional traditions and norms thus, will definitely cause chaos.

Like in other religions where women and girls now minister as leader of the leaders in the ‘house of God’, as contrary to their biblical laws {1Timothy 2:11-12- A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. AND 1Corinthians 14:34-35- Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak,but must be in submission,as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.}, women will also want to be in positions of Imams wherein its evil is unspeakable.